D'Angelo's masterpiece debut album Brown Sugar was originally released in July 1995. The title track, "Brown Sugar," oozes into the ears with a dark, gooey, molasses-like texture. Bolstered by the smoky sounds of a tricky old stage organ, D'Angelo sets the mood here for the rest of his album; his highly agile falsetto vocals merge with the gutbucket rhythm melange. The album's centerpiece efforts, "Me and Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine," "Shit, Damn, Motherfucker," and "Cruisin'," prove that there is some mettle behind D'Angelo's retrograde stylistics. "Dreamin'" cuts loose an ethereal groove colored with live drums and meaty rhythm guitar that extends for eternity; the sinister "Motherfucker" underwhelms with its subtlety but becomes more intriguing once you realize the smoove lyrics are about an O.J.-like lover killing his best friend and wife. "Cruisin'" strokes the Smokey Robinson blue-light classic with D'Angelo's own touch but doesn't ruffle it. If you love Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and Prince - this is up there. 2LP - Double 180 Gram Vinyl with Download. 2CD - Newly Remastered. Includes 21 rare tracks, including remixes by CJ Mackintosh, Dallas Austin, King Tech, Erick Sermon, and Incognito, as well as instrumentals and a cappella versions. Of the 21 newly added tracks, 15 were previously available only on vinyl and seven will make their commercial release debuts on the new edition. It comes presented in a digipak with a 20-page booklet featuring an essay by noted author and filmmaker Nelson George, rare photographs, and lyrics for the album’s 10 original tracks.
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